Comparative Evaluation of Flexural Strength and Microhardness of Two Different Ceramic Reinforced 3-D Printed Resins with Cad-cam Milled and Conventional Tooth Coloured Heat Cured Polymethylmethacrylate Resins as Long-term Provisional Restorative Materials” – An in Vitro Study

Abstract

Background: Long-term provisional restorations play a crucial role in complex clinical scenarios, Implant-supported prostheses, full-mouth rehabilitation cases & Maxillofacial Prosthodontics. Understanding the mechan-ical properties such as flexural strength and microhardness of newer commercially available provision-al restorative materials is necessary to select an optimum material for long-term provisional fixed den-tal prosthesis. This Research study was conducted to evaluate and compare the Flexural Strength and Microhardness of Two Different Ceramic-reinforced 3-D Printed Resins with CAD-CAM Milled and Conventional Tooth Coloured Heat Cured Polymethylmethacrylate Resins as Long-Term Provisional Restorative Materials. Methods: Twenty-one specimens of dimensions 25 mm × 2 mm × 2 mm (ADA-ANSI specification #27) were fabricated each using: Group A (Control group)-Conventional tooth colored heat cured polymethyl-methacrylate resin (DPI Heat cure tooth moulding powder), Group B-CAD-CAM milled resin, Group C- Ceramic reinforced polymer 3-D printed resin (Temporary CB resin) and Group D- Ceramic rein-forced polymer 3-D printed resin (Permanent CB resin). Flexural strength and microhardness were measured and the values obtained were evaluated. Results: The measured mean flexural strength values (Mega Pascals) were 39.41 (Group A), 153 (Group B), 124.91 (Group C), and 136.50 (Group D). The measured mean microhardness values (Knoop hardness number) were 37.9 (Group A), 40.5 (Group B), 34.67 (Group C), and 43.88 (Group D). The difference in flexural strength and microhardness values of the three groups was statistically significant according to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) as well as the intergroup comparison done using Tukey’s honest significant difference (HSD) Post Hoc test (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Flexural strength with higher values in Group B were noted and the Microhardness test showed higher values in Group D.